Modi welcomes Advani

Modi got into Advani’s bus and garlanded him, posing for photographs to prove he was not angry with the former deputy prime minister even as four helicopters showered flower petals. They were later greeted by a long human chain of women with clay lamps in their hands and pots on their heads.

However, at Vapi where a public meeting was held, Modi did not sit on a throne-like large chair next to Advani’s but parked himself two chairs away, and the duo was rarely seen exchanging words.

In their speeches the two patted each other’s back, with Advani praising his protégé for good governance and Modi commending for taking up the tough campaign at a ripe old age.

Advani said Modi had made Gujarat ‘corruption-free’ and it was is the only state in the country where there was good governance and swaraj, thanks to the able leadership of Modi.

Advani also took a swipe at the prime minister once again, saying no one would forgive Manmohan Singh for the rampant corruption in his government, the numerous scams and his handling of the issue.

mahesh@khaleejtimes.com